Microporous Films

ABSTRACT

A microporous film made of a composition containing A) 100 to 60 parts by weight of a polypropylene homopolymer, B) 0 to 40 parts by weight of a low density polyethylene or a polyethylene copolymer with butene, hexene or octene, and C) 0.005 to 0.5% by weight, relative to the weight of component A), of at least one beta-nucleating agent selected from the class consisting of organic compounds containing trisamide moieties; the film having a water vapor-permeability of ≧200 g/m2 d at 23° C./50% r.h. or ≧800 g/m2 d at 23° C./85% r.h.

The present invention relates to a microporous film made of acomposition comprising polypropylene and optionally polyethylene homo-or copolymer, and a beta-nucleating agent containing trisamide moieties,an article containing said microporous film and a process for producingsaid microporous film.

Microporous films are for example described in JP-A-1997-255,804, U.S.Pat. No. 5,208,098, U.S. Pat. No. 5,910,225 and EP-A-632,095.Beta-nucleating agents are for example described in WO-A-03/102,069 andU.S. Pat. No. 5,231,126.

The present invention relates in particular to

a microporous film made of a composition containing

-   A) 100 to 60 parts by weight of a polypropylene homopolymer,-   B) 0 to 40 parts by weight of a low density polyethylene or a    polyethylene copolymer with butene, hexene or octene, and-   C) 0.005 to 0.5% by weight, relative to the weight of component A),    of at least one beta-nucleating agent selected from the group    consisting of organic compounds containing trisamide moieties;    the film having a water vapor-permeability of    ≧200 g/m² d at 23° C./50% r.h. or    ≧800 g/m² d at 23° C./85% r.h.

Component A) is preferably present in an amount of 95 to 65 parts byweight, in particular 90 to 70 parts by weight.

Component B) is preferably present in an amount of 5 to 35 parts byweight, in particular 10 to 30 parts by weight.

Component C) is preferably present in an amount of 0.01 to 0.1% byweight, in particular 0.015 to 0.05% by weight, relative to the weightof component A).

A preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a microporousfilm wherein component A) is present in an amount of 95 to 65 parts byweight, and component B) is present in an amount of 5 to 35 parts byweight.

The water vapor-permeability can be determined according to differenttest methods depending on the intent of use and the required conditionsfor breathability.

The water vapor-permeability according to the TAPPI official test methodT448 (1997) is preferably 200 to 3000, in particular 300 to 2500 or 500to 2000 or 750 to 1800, g/m² d at 23° C./50% r.h. (d: day; r.h.:relative humidity).

The water vapor transmission rates can alternatively be measuredaccording to ASTM E398-03 or ISO/CD 15106-1 with a commercial LYSSYVapor Permeation Tester L80-4000 (MRS Seitter GmbH, Holzmaden, Germany;today part of Dansensor®) operated at 23° C./85% r.h. For the latter,more humid conditions, the water vapor transmission rates are preferably≧800 g/m² d, for example 800 to 4000 g/m² d, in particular ≧1000 g/m² d,for example 1000 to 3000 g/m² d, and most preferably ≧1500 g/m² d, forexample 1500 to 2000 g/m² d.

The thickness of the microporous film is preferably 1 to 250 microns,preferably 5 to 200 microns, more preferably 10 to 150 microns, and mostpreferably 15 to 100 microns.

It is advantageous to select the polypropylene homopolymer according tothe following properties' profile: A melt flow index (MFI, measuredaccording to ASTM D-1238) of 0.5 to 25 dg/min, preferably 0.7 to 15dg/min, determined at 230° C. under a load of 2.16 kg; a density in therange of 0.87 to 0.93 g/cm³; a melting point (determined as peaktemperature by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) under nitrogenblanket at 10° C./min heating rate) of at least 160° C.

The use of polypropylene homopolymer according to the present inventionis independent from its preparation. It can be manufactured by commonmethods, well described in the literature, as for example by:

Catalytic polymerization using a catalyst that normally contains one ormore than one metal of groups IVb, Vb, VIb or VIII of the PeriodicTable. These metals usually have one or more than one ligand, typicallyoxides, halides, alcoholates, esters, ethers, amines, alkyls, alkenylsand/or aryls that may be either π- or σ-coordinated. These metalcomplexes may be in the free form or fixed on substrates, typically onactivated magnesium chloride, titanium(III) chloride, alumina or siliconoxide. These catalysts may be soluble or insoluble in the polymerisationmedium. The catalysts can be used by themselves in the polymerisation orfurther activators may be used, typically metal alkyls, metal hydrides,metal alkyl halides, metal alkyl oxides or metal alkyloxanes, saidmetals being elements of groups Ia, IIa and/or IIIa of the PeriodicTable. The activators may be modified conveniently with further ester,ether, amine or silyl ether groups. These catalyst systems are usuallytermed Phillips, Standard Oil Indiana, Ziegler (-Natta), TNZ (DuPont),metallocene or single site catalysts (SSC).

It is advantageous to select the low density polyethylene or apolyethylene copolymer with butene, hexene or octene according to thefollowing properties' profile: A melt flow index (MFI, measuredaccording to ASTM D-1238) of 0.5 to 25 dg/min, preferably 0.7 to 15dg/min, determined at 190° C. under a load of 2.16 kg; a density in therange of 0.87 to 0.94 g/cm³; a melting point (determined as peaktemperature by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) under nitrogenblanket at 10° C./min heating rate) of less than 130° C.

The use of low density polyethylene or a polyethylene copolymer withbutene, hexene or octene according to the present invention isindependent from its preparation. It can be manufactured by commonmethods, well described in the literature. The low density polyethyleneor a polyethylene copolymer with butene, hexene or octane can beprepared by catalytic processes as outlined above in gaseous orcondensed phase in bulk, solution or slurry at low or at high pressure.Most preferred types of low density polyethylene or polyethylenecopolymer are those having a MFI of 0.7 to 15 dg/min and a density of0.90 to 0.93 g/cm³ and a melting point of less than 125° C.; mostpreferred comonomers are butene-1 and hexene-1.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention thebeta-nucleating agent is added in effective amounts enhancing thecrystallization peak temperature T_(c) of the polypropylene homopolymerby at least 3° C., preferably by at least 5° C., even more preferably byat least 8° C.

A preferred beta-nucleating agent is a 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acidtrisamide derivative, in particular a compound of the formula (I),

in which R₁, R₂ and R₃, independently of one another, areC₁-C₂₀alkyl,C₂-C₂₀alkyl substituted by C₁-C₁₀alkylamino, di(C₁-C₁₀alkyl)amino,C₁-C₁₀alkyloxy or hydroxy;C₃-C₂₀alkenyl,C₅-C₁₂cycloalkyl,C₅-C₁₂cycloalkyl substituted by 1, 2 or 3 C₁-C₁₀alkyl;cyclohexylmethyl;cyclohexylmethyl substituted by 1, 2 or 3 C₁-C₁₀alkyl;C₅-C₉cycloalkenyl,C₅-C₉cycloalkenyl substituted by 1, 2 or 3 C₁-C₁₀alkyl;phenyl substituted by 1, 2 or 3 radicals selected from the groupconsisting of C₁-C₁₀alkyl,C₁-C₁₀alkyloxy, hydroxy, halogen, trihalogenmethyl, trihalogenmethoxy,benzoyl, phenylamino, acylamino and phenylazo;C₇-C₉phenylalkyl,C₇-C₉phenylalkyl which is substituted on the phenyl by 1, 2 or 3radicals selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₁₀alkyl, C₁-C₁₀alkoxyand hydroxy;naphthyl,naphthyl substituted by C₁-C₁₀alkyl,adamantyl, ora 5 to 6 membered heterocyclic group.

The compounds of the formula (I) are known and can be prepared forexample in analogy to the method described in WO-A-03/102,069.

Examples of C₁-C₂₀alkyl are methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl,sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, 2-ethylbutyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl,1-methylpentyl, 1,3-dimethylbutyl, n-hexyl, 1-methyl-hexyl, n-heptyl,isoheptyl, 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl, 1-methylheptyl, 3-methylheptyl,n-octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, 1,1,3-trimethylhexyl, 1,1,3,3-tetramethylpentyl,nonyl, decyl, undecyl, 1-methyl-undecyl, dodecyl,1,1,3,3,5,5-hexamethylhexyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl,hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl and eicosyl. Preferred is branchedC₃-C₂₀alkyl, in particular t-butyl and t-octyl.

Examples of C₂-C₂₀alkyl substituted by C₁-C₁₀alkylamino,di(C₁-C₁₀alkyl)amino, C₁-C₁₀alkyloxy or hydroxy are 3-methylaminopropyl,2-dimethylaminoethyl, 2-diethylaminoethyl, 3-dimethylaminopropyl,3-diethylaminopropyl, 2-methoxyethyl, 2-ethoxyethyl, 2-methoxypropyl,3-methoxypropyl, 2-ethoxypropyl, 3-isopropoxypropyl and hydroxyethyl.

Preferred examples are 3-dimethylaminopropyl, 3-methoxypropyl and2-methoxyethyl.

Examples of C₃-C₂₀alkenyl are allyl, 2-methallyl, butenyl, pentenyl,hexenyl and oleyl. The carbon atom in position 1 is preferablysaturated. Particularly preferred examples are allyl and oleyl.

Examples of C₅-C₁₂cycloalkyl are cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl,cyclooctyl and cyclododecyl.

Preferred examples are cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl andcyclododecyl.

Preferred examples of C₅-C₁₂cycloalkyl substituted by 1, 2 or 3C₁-C₁₀alkyl are 3-methylcyclohexyl and 2,3-dimethylcyclohexyl.

An example of cyclohexylmethyl substituted by 1, 2 or 3 C₁-C₁₀alkyl is1-cyclohexylethyl.

An example of C₅-C₉cycloalkenyl is cyclohexenyl.

An example of C₅-C₉cycloalkenyl substituted by 1, 2 or 3 C₁-C₁₀alkyl ismethylcyclohexenyl.

Examples of phenyl substituted by 1, 2 or 3 radicals selected from thegroup consisting of C₁-C₁₀alkyl, C₁-C₁₀alkyloxy, hydroxy, halogen,trihalogenmethyl, trihalogenmethoxy, benzoyl, phenylamino, acylamino andphenylazo are 4-methylphenyl, 2-ethylphenyl, 4-ethylphenyl,4-isopropylphenyl, 4-tert-butylphenyl, 4-sec-butylphenyl,4-isobutylphenyl, 3,5-dimethylphenyl, 3,4-dimethylphenyl,2,4-dimethylphenyl, 2,6-diethylphenyl, 2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl,2,6-diisopropylphenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, 4-ethoxyphenyl, 4-hydroxyphenyl,4-fluorophenyl, 3,5-difluorophenyl, 2-chlorophenyl, 3-chlorophenyl,3-chloro-6-methylphenyl, 3,5-di(trifluoromethyl)phenyl,4-trifluoromethoxyphenyl, 2-benzoylphenyl, 4-phenylaminophenyl,4-acetamidophenyl and 4-(phenylazo)phenyl.

A preferred example is 3,4-dimethylphenyl.

Examples of C₇-C₉phenylalkyl are benzyl and 2-phenylethyl. Benzyl ispreferred.

Examples of C₇-C₉phenylalkyl which is substituted on the phenyl by 1, 2or 3 radicals selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₁₀alkyl,C₁-C₁₀alkoxy and hydroxy are methylbenzyl, dimethylbenzyl,trimethylbenzyl, tert-butylbenzyl, methoxybenzyl and3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl.

An example of naphthyl substituted by C₁-C₁₀alkyl is methylnaphthyl.

Examples of a 5 to 6 membered heterocyclic group are 2-picolyl,(2-furyl)methyl, (2-tetrahydrofuryl)methyl, 2-pyrimidyl,6-methyl-2-pyridyl, 1,2,4-triazol-3-yl and 2-(1-piperazinyl)ethyl.

R₁, R₂ and R₃, independently of one another, are preferably branchedC₃-C₂₀alkyl, or C₅-C₈cycloalkyl unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or3 C₁-C₄alkyl.

R₁, R₂ and R₃ are in particular identical and are tert-octyl,2,3-dimethylcyclohexyl or cyclooctyl.

The beta-nucleating agent applied according to the present invention maybe incorporated into the thermoplastic polymer or polymer blend bycommonly used industrial techniques prior to or during melt processing.The beta-nucleating agent can be applied in pure form or in mixtureswith other commonly used additives. It can also be added in the form ofa solid powder blend with polymer fluff, as a concentrate or masterbatch(which contain this compound in a concentration of, for example, 1 to50%, in particular 1 to 10%) or as a liquid preparation in form of amelt, solution or dispersion in suitable carrier materials. Thebeta-nucleating agent can be added to a blend of polypropylene andpolyethylene according to the present invention, more preferably, it isadded to the polypropylene component prior to subsequent processingsteps.

The compositions used according to the present invention may optionallycontain one or more conventional additives. Suitable examples are

1. Antioxidants

1.1. Alkylated monophenols, for example2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol, 2-tert-butyl-4,6-di-methylphenol,2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-ethylphenol, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-n-butylphenol,2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-isobutylphenol, 2,6-dicyclopentyl-4-methylphenol,2-(α-methylcyclohexyl)-4,6-dimethyl-phenol,2,6-dioctadecyl-4-methylphenol, 2,4,6-tricyclohexylphenol,2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methoxymethylphenol, nonylphenols which are linearor branched in the side chains, for example,2,6-di-nonyl-4-methylphenol,2,4-dimethyl-6-(1′-methylundec-1′-yl)phenol,2,4-dimethyl-6-(1′-methylheptadec-1′-yl)phenol,2,4-dimethyl-6-(1′-methyltridec-1′-yl)phenol and mixtures thereof.1.2. Alkylthiomethylphenols, for example2,4-dioctylthiomethyl-6-tert-butylphenol,2,4-dioctylthiomethyl-6-methylphenol,2,4-dioctylthiomethyl-6-ethylphenol,2,6-di-dodecylthiomethyl-4-nonylphenol.1.3. Hydroquinones and alkylated hydroquinones, for example2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methoxy-phenol, 2,5-di-tert-butylhydroquinone,2,5-di-tert-amylhydroquinone, 2,6-diphenyl-4-octade-cyloxyphenol,2,6-di-tert-butylhydroquinone, 2,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole,3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole, 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylstearate, bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) adipate.1.4. Tocopherols, for example α-tocopherol, β-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol,δ-tocopherol and mixtures thereof (vitamin E).1.5. Hydroxylated thiodiphenyl ethers, for example 2,2′-thiobis(6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol), 2,2′-thiobis(4-octylphenol),4,4′-thiobis(6-tert-butyl-3-methylphenol),4,4′-thiobis(6-tert-butyl-2-methylphenol),4,4′-thiobis(3,6-di-sec-amylphenol),4,4′-bis(2,6-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-disulfide.1.6. Alkylidenebisphenols, for example 2,2′-methylenebis(6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol),2,2′-methylenebis(6-tert-butyl-4-ethylphenol),2,2′-methylenebis[4-methyl-6-(α-methylcyclohexyl)-phenol],2,2′-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-cyclohexylphenol),2,2′-methylenebis(6-nonyl-4-methylphenol),2,2′-methylenebis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenol),2,2′-ethylidenebis(4,6-di-tert-butyl-phenol),2,2′-ethylidenebis(6-tert-butyl-4-isobutylphenol),2,2′-methylenebis[6-(α-methylbenzyl)-4-nonylphenol],2,2′-methylenebis[6-(α,α-dimethylbenzyl)-4-nonylphenol],4,4′-methylenebis(2,6-di-tert-butylphenol),4,4′-methylenebis(6-tert-butyl-2-methylphenol),1,1-bis(5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylphenyl)butane,2,6-bis(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-hydroxybenzyl)-4-methylphenol,1,1,3-tris(5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylphenyl)butane,1,1-bis(5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-2-methyl-phenyl)-3-n-dodecylmercaptobutane,ethylene glycol bis[3,3-bis(3′-tert-butyl-4′-hydroxyphenyl)butyrate],bis(3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-phenyl)dicyclopentadiene,bis[2-(3′-tert-butyl-2′-hydroxy-5′-methylbenzyl)-6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenyl]terephthalate,1,1-bis-(3,5-dimethyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)butane,2,2-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane,2,2-bis(5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylphenyl)-4-n-dodecylmercaptobutane,1,1,5,5-tetra-(5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylphenyl)pentane.1.7. O-, N- and S-benzyl compounds, for example 3,5,3′,5′-tetra-tert-butyl-4,4′-dihydroxydibenzyl ether,octadecyl-4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzylmercaptoacetate,tridecyl-4-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylbenzylmercaptoacetate,tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)amine,bis(4-tert-butyl-3-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylbenzyl)dithioterephthalate,bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-benzyl)sulfide,isooctyl-3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylmercaptoacetate.1.8. Hydroxybenzylated malonates, for exampledioctadecyl-2,2-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzyl)malonate,di-octadecyl-2-(3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methylbenzyl)malonate,di-dodecylmercaptoethyl-2,2-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)malonate,bis[4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenyl]-2,2-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)malonate.1.9. Aromatic hydroxybenzyl compounds, for example1,3,5-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-benzyl)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene,1,4-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-2,3,5,6-tetramethylbenzene,2,4,6-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)phenol.

1.10. Triazine compounds, for example2,4-bis(octylmercapto)-6-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-anilino)-1,3,5-triazine,2-octylmercapto-4,6-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanilino)-1,3,5-triazine,2-octylmercapto-4,6-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenoxy)-1,3,5-triazine,2,4,6-tris-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenoxy)-1,2,3-triazine,1,3,5-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)iso-cyanurate,1,3,5-tris(4-tert-butyl-3-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylbenzyl)isocyanurate,2,4,6-tris-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylethyl)-1,3,5-triazine,1,3,5-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-phenylpropionyl)-hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine,1,3,5-tris(3,5-dicyclohexyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)iso-cyanurate.

1.11. Benzylphosphonates, for exampledimethyl-2,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphosphonate,diethyl-3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphosphonate,dioctadecyl-3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphosphonate,dioctadecyl-5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-3-methylbenzylphosphonate, thecalcium salt of the monoethyl ester of3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphosphonic acid.1.12. Acylaminophenols, for example 4-hydroxylauranilide,4-hydroxystearanilide, octylN-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)carbamate.1.13. Esters of β-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid withmono- or polyhydric alcohols, e.g. with methanol, ethanol, n-octanol,i-octanol, octadecanol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,9-nonanediol, ethylene glycol,1,2-propanediol, neopentyl glycol, thiodiethylene glycol, diethyleneglycol, triethylene glycol, pentaerythritol,tris(hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate, N,N′-bis(hydroxyethyl)oxamide,3-thiaundecanol, 3-thiapentadecanol, trimethylhexanediol,trimethylol-propane,4-hydroxymethyl-1-phospha-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane.1.14. Esters of β-(5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl)propionic acidwith mono- or poly-hydric alcohols, e.g. with methanol, ethanol,n-octanol, i-octanol, octadecanol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,9-nonanediol,ethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, neopentyl glycol, thiodiethyleneglycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, pentaerythritol,tris(hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate, N,N′-bis-(hydroxyethyl)oxamide,3-thiaundecanol, 3-thiapentadecanol, trimethylhexanediol,trimethylol-propane,4-hydroxymethyl-1-phospha-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane;3,9-bis[2-{3-(3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)propionyloxy}-1,1-dimethylethyl]-2,4,8,10-tetraoxaspiro[5.5]-undecane.

1.15. Esters of β-(3,5-dicyclohexyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid withmono- or polyhydric alcohols, e.g. with methanol, ethanol, octanol,octadecanol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,9-nonanediol, ethylene glycol,1,2-propanediol, neopentyl glycol, thiodiethylene glycol, diethyleneglycol, triethylene glycol, pentaerythritol,tris(hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate, N,N′-bis(hydroxyethyl)oxamide,3-thiaundecanol, 3-thiapentadecanol, trimethylhexanediol,trimethylolpropane,4-hydroxymethyl-1-phospha-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane.

1.16. Esters of 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid with mono-or polyhydric alcohols, e.g. with methanol, ethanol, octanol,octadecanol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,9-nonanediol, ethylene glycol,1,2-propanediol, neopentyl glycol, thiodiethylene glycol, diethyleneglycol, triethylene glycol, pentaerythritol,tris(hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate, N,N′-bis(hydroxyethyl)oxamide,3-thiaundecanol, 3-thiapentadecanol, trimethylhexanediol,trimethylolpropane,4-hydroxymethyl-1-phospha-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane.1.17. Amides of β-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid e.g.N,N′-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionyl)hexamethylenediamide,N,N′-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-phenylpropionyl)trimethylenediamide,N,N′-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionyl)hydrazide,N,N′-bis[2-(3-[3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl]propionyloxy)ethyl]oxamide(Naugard® XL-1, supplied by Uniroyal).1.18. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)1.19. Aminic antioxidants, for exampleN,N′-di-isopropyl-p-phenylenediamine,N,N′-di-sec-butyl-p-phenylenediamine,N,N′-bis(1,4-dimethylpentyl)-p-phenylenediamine,N,N′-bis(1-ethyl-3-methylpentyl)-p-phenylenediamine,N,N′-bis(1-methylheptyl)-p-phenylenediamine,N,N′-dicyclohexyl-p-phenylenediamine, N,N′-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine,N,N′-bis(2-naphthyl)-p-phenylenediamine,N-isopropyl-N′-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine,N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N′-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine,N-(1-methylheptyl)-N′-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine,N-cyclohexyl-N′-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine,4-(p-toluenesulfamoyl)diphenylamine,N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-di-sec-butyl-p-phenylenediamine, diphenylamine,N-allyldiphenylamine, 4-isopropoxydiphenylamine,N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine, N-(4-tert-octylphenyl)-1-naphthylamine,N-phenyl-2-naphthylamine, octylated diphenylamine, for examplep,p′-di-tert-octyldiphenylamine, 4-n-butyl-aminophenol,4-butyrylaminophenol, 4-nonanoylaminophenol, 4-dodecanoylaminophenol,4-octadecanoylaminophenol, bis(4-methoxyphenyl)amine,2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-dimethylamino-methylphenol,2,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane, 4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane,N,N,N′,N′-tetra-methyl-4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane,1,2-bis[(2-methylphenyl)amino]ethane, 1,2-bis(phenyl-amino)propane,(o-tolyl)biguanide, bis[4-(1′,3′-dimethylbutyl)phenyl]amine,tert-octylated N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine, a mixture of mono- anddialkylated tert-butyl/tert-octyldiphenyl-amines, a mixture of mono- anddialkylated nonyldiphenylamines, a mixture of mono- and dialkylateddodecyldiphenylamines, a mixture of mono- anddialkylatedisopropyl/isohexyl-diphenylamines, a mixture of mono- anddialkylated tert-butyldiphenylamines,2,3-dihydro-3,3-dimethyl-4H-1,4-benzothiazine, phenothiazine, a mixtureof mono- and dialkylated tert-butyl/tert-octylphenothiazines, a mixtureof mono- and dialkylated tert-octyl-phenothiazines,N-allylphenothiazine, N,N,N′,N′-tetraphenyl-1,4-diaminobut-2-ene.

2. UV Absorbers and Light Stabilizers

2.1. 2-(2′-Hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazoles, for example2-(2′-hydroxy-5′-methylphenyl)-benzo-triazole,2-(3′,5′-di-tert-butyl-2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole,2-(5′-tert-butyl-2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole,2-(2′-hydroxy-5′-(1,1,3,3-tetramethyl butyl)phenyl)benzotriazole,2-(3′,5′-di-tert-butyl-2′-hydroxyphenyl)-5-chloro-benzotriazole,2-(3′-tert-butyl-2′-hydroxy-5′-methylphenyl)-5-chloro-benzotriazole,2-(3′-sec-butyl-5′-tert-butyl-2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole,2-(2′-hydroxy-4′-octyloxyphenyl)benzotriazole,2-(3′,5′-di-tert-amyl-2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole,2-(3′,5′-bis-(α,α-dimethyl benzyl)-2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole,2-(3′-tert-butyl-2′-hydroxy-5′-(2-octyloxycarbonylethyl)phenyl)-5-chloro-benzotriazole,2-(3′-tert-butyl-5′-[2-(2-ethylhexyl-oxy)-carbonylethyl]-2′-hydroxyphenyl)-5-chloro-benzotriazole,2-(3′-tert-butyl-2′-hydroxy-5′-(2-methoxycarbonylethyl)phenyl)-5-chloro-benzotriazole,2-(3′-tert-butyl-2′-hydroxy-5′-(2-methoxycarbonylethyl)phenyl)benzotriazole,2-(3′-tert-butyl-2′-hydroxy-5′-(2-octyloxycarbonyl-ethyl)phenyl)benzotriazole,2-(3′-tert-butyl-5′-[2-(2-ethylhexyloxy)carbonylethyl]-2′-hydroxy-phenyl)benzotriazole,2-(3′-dodecyl-2′-hydroxy-5′-methylphenyl)benzotriazole,2-(3′-tert-butyl-2′-hydroxy-5′-(2-isooctyloxycarbonylethyl)phenylbenzotriazole,2,2′-methylene-bis[4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-6-benzotriazole-2-ylphenol];the transesterification product of2-[3′-tert-butyl-5′-(2-methoxycarbonylethyl)-2′-hydroxyphenyl]-2H-benzotriazolewith polyethylene glycol 300; [R—CH₂CH₂—COO—CH₂CH₂₂, whereR=3′-tert-butyl-4′-hydroxy-5′-2H-benzotriazol-2-ylphenyl,2-[2′-hydroxy-3′-(α,α-dimethylbenzyl)-5′-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-phenyl]-benzotriazole;2-[2′-hydroxy-3′-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-5′-(α,α-dimethylbenzyl)-phenyl]benzotriazole.2.2. 2-Hydroxybenzophenones, for example the 4-hydroxy, 4-methoxy,4-octyloxy, 4-decyloxy, 4-dodecyloxy, 4-benzyloxy, 4,2′,4′-trihydroxyand 2′-hydroxy-4,4′-dimethoxy derivatives.2.3. Esters of substituted and unsubstituted benzoic acids, for example4-tert-butyl-phenyl salicylate, phenyl salicylate, octylphenylsalicylate, dibenzoyl resorcinol, bis(4-tert-butylbenzoyl)resorcinol,benzoyl resorcinol, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoate, hexadecyl3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoate, octadecyl3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoate, 2-methyl-4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoate.2.4. Acrylates, for example ethyl α-cyano-β,β-diphenylacrylate, isooctylα-cyano-β,β-diphenylacrylate, methyl α-carbomethoxycinnamate, methylα-cyano-β-methyl-p-methoxycinnamate, butylα-cyano-β-methyl-p-methoxy-cinnamate, methylα-carbomethoxy-p-methoxycinnamate,N-(β-carbomethoxy-β-cyanovinyl)-2-methylindoline, neopentyltetra(α-cyano-β,β-di-phenylacrylate.2.5. Nickel compounds, for example nickel complexes of2,2′-thio-bis[4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-butyl)phenol], such as the 1:1 or1:2 complex, with or without additional ligands such as n-butylamine,triethanolamine or N-cyclohexyldiethanolamine, nickeldibutyldithiocarbamate, nickel salts of the monoalkyl esters, e.g. themethyl or ethyl ester, of 4-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylbenzylphosphonicacid, nickel complexes of ketoximes, e.g. of2-hydroxy-4-methylphenylundecylketoxime, nickel complexes of1-phenyl-4-lauroyl-5-hydroxypyrazole, with or without additionalligands.2.6. Sterically hindered amines, for examplebis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)sebacate,bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)succinate,bis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl)sebacate,bis(1-octyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)sebacate,bis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl)n-butyl-3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylmalonate, the condensate of1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-hydroxypiperidine and succinicacid, linear or cyclic condensates ofN,N′-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)hexamethylenediamine and4-tert-octylamino-2,6-dichloro-1,3,5-triazine,tris(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)nitrilotriacetate,tetrakis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)-1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylate,1,1′-(1,2-ethanediyl)-bis(3,3,5,5-tetramethylpiperazinone),4-benzoyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine,4-stearyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine,bis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidyl)-2-n-butyl-2-(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylbenzyl)malonate,3-n-octyl-7,7,9,9-tetramethyl-1,3,8-triazaspiro[4.5]decane-2,4-dione,bis(1-octyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl)sebacate,bis(1-octyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl)succinate, linear or cycliccondensates ofN,N′-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)hexamethylenediamine and4-morpholino-2,6-dichloro-1,3,5-triazine, the condensate of2-chloro-4,6-bis(4-n-butylamino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl)-1,3,5-triazineand 1,2-bis(3-aminopropylamino)ethane, the condensate of2-chloro-4,6-di-(4-n-butylamino-1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidyl)-1,3,5-triazineand 1,2-bis(3-aminopropylamino)ethane,8-acetyl-3-dodecyl-7,7,9,9-tetramethyl-1,3,8-triazaspiro[4.5]decane-2,4-dione,3-dodecyl-1-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)pyrrolidine-2,5-dione,3-dodecyl-1-(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl)pyrrolidine-2,5-dione, amixture of 4-hexadecyloxy- and4-stearyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, a condensate ofN,N′-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)hexamethylenediamine and4-cyclohexylamino-2,6-dichloro-1,3,5-triazine, a condensate of1,2-bis(3-aminopropylamino)ethane and 2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine aswell as 4-butylamino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine (CAS Reg. No.[136504-96-6]); a condensate of 1,6-hexanediamine and2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine as well as N,N-dibutylamine and4-butylamino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine (CAS Reg. No. [192268-64-7]);N-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)-n-dodecylsuccinimide,N-(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl)-n-dodecylsuccinimide,2-undecyl-7,7,9,9-tetramethyl-1-oxa-3,8-diaza-4-oxo-spiro[4,5]decane, areaction product of7,7,9,9-tetramethyl-2-cycloundecyl-1-oxa-3,8-diaza-4-oxospiro-[4,5]decaneand epichlorohydrin,1,1-bis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyloxycarbonyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethene,N,N′-bis-formyl-N,N′-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)hexamethylenediamine,a diester of 4-methoxymethylenemalonic acid with1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-hydroxypiperidine,poly[methylpropyl-3-oxy-4-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)]siloxane, areaction product of maleic acid anhydride-α-olefin copolymer with2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-aminopiperidine or1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-aminopiperidine,2,4-bis[N-(1-cyclohexyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-4-yl)-N-butylamino]-6-(2-hydroxyethyl)amino-1,3,5-triazine,1-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropoxy)-4-octadecanoyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine,5-(2-ethylhexanoyl)-oxymethyl-3,3,5-trimethyl-2-morpholinone, Sanduvor(Clariant; CAS Reg. No. 106917-31-1],5-(2-ethylhexanoyl)oxymethyl-3,3,5-trimethyl-2-morpholinone, thereaction product of2,4-bis-[(1-cyclohexyloxy-2,2,6,6-piperidine-4-yl)butylamino]-6-chloro-s-triazinewith N,N′-bis(3-aminopropyl)ethylenediamine),1,3,5-tris(N-cyclohexyl-N-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperazine-3-one-4-yl)amino)-s-triazine,1,3,5-tris(N-cyclohexyl-N-(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperazine-3-one-4-yl)-amino)-s-triazine.2.7. Oxamides, for example 4, 4′-dioctyloxyoxanilide,2,2′-diethoxyoxanilide, 2,2′-dioctyloxy-5,5′-di-tert-butoxanilide,2,2′-didodecyloxy-5,5′-di-tert-butoxanilide, 2-ethoxy-2′-ethyloxanilide,N,N′-bis(3-dimethylaminopropyl)oxamide,2-ethoxy-5-tert-butyl-2′-ethoxanilide and its mixture with2-ethoxy-2′-ethyl-5,4′-di-tert-butoxanilide, mixtures of o- andp-methoxy-disubstituted oxanilides and mixtures of o- andp-ethoxy-disubstituted oxanilides.2.8. 2-(2-Hydroxyphenyl)-1,3,5-triazines, for example2,4,6-tris(2-hydroxy-4-octyloxyphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine,2-(2-hydroxy-4-octyloxyphenyl)-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine,2-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine,2,4-bis(2-hydroxy-4-propyl-oxyphenyl)-6-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine,2-(2-hydroxy-4-octyloxyphenyl)-4,6-bis(4-methylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine,2-(2-hydroxy-4-dodecyloxyphenyl)-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine,2-(2-hydroxy-4-tridecyloxyphenyl)-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine,2-[2-hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxy-3-butyloxypropoxy)phenyl]-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethyl)-1,3,5-triazine,2-[2-hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxy-3-octyloxypropyloxy)phenyl]-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethyl)-1,3,5-triazine,2-[4-(dodecyloxy/tridecyloxy-2-hydroxypropoxy)-2-hydroxyphenyl]-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine,2-[2-hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxy-3-dodecyloxypropoxy)phenyl]-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine,2-(2-hydroxy-4-hexyloxy)phenyl-4,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-triazine,2-(2-hydro-oxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-4,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-triazine,2,4,6-tris[2-hydroxy-4-(3-butoxy-2-hydroxypropoxy)phenyl]-1,3,5-triazine,2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-6-phenyl-1,3,5-triazine,2-{2-hydroxy-4-[3-(2-ethylhexyl-1-oxy)-2-hydroxypropyloxy]phenyl}-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine,2,4-bis(4-[2-ethylhexyloxy]-2-hydroxyphenyl)-6-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine.3. Metal deactivators, for example N,N′-diphenyloxamide,N-salicylal-N′-salicyloyl hydrazine, N,N′-bis(salicyloyl)hydrazine,N,N′-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionyl)hydrazine,3-salicyloylamino-1,2,4-triazole, bis(benzylidene)oxalyl dihydrazide,oxanilide, isophthaloyl dihydrazide, sebacoyl bisphenylhydrazide,N,N′-diacetyladipoyl dihydrazide, N,N′-bis(salicyloyl)oxalyldihydrazide, N,N′-bis(salicyloyl)thiopropionyl dihydrazide.4. Phosphites and phosphonites, for example triphenyl phosphite,diphenylalkyl phosphites, phenyldialkyl phosphites,tris(nonylphenyl)phosphite, trilauryl phosphite, trioctadecyl phosphite,distearylpentaerythritol diphosphite,tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphite, diisodecyl pentaerythritoldiphosphite, bis(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite,bis(2,4-di-cumylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite,bis(2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite,diisodecyloxypentaerythritol diphosphite,bis(2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-methylphenyl)-pentaerythritol diphosphite,bis(2,4,6-tris(tert-butylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite, tristearylsorbitol triphosphite, tetrakis(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)4,4′-biphenylene diphosphonite,6-isooctyloxy-2,4,8,10-tetra-tert-butyl-12H-dibenz[d,g]-1,3,2-dioxaphosphocin,bis(2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-methylphenyl)methyl phosphite,bis(2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-methylphenyl)ethyl phosphite,6-fluoro-2,4,8,10-tetra-tert-butyl-12-methyl-dibenz[d,g]-1,3,2-dioxaphosphocin,2,2′,2″-nitrilo-[triethyltris(3,3′,5,5′-tetra-tert-butyl-1,1′-biphenyl-2,2′-diyl)phosphite],2-ethylhexyl(3,3′,5,5′-tetra-tert-butyl-1,1′-biphenyl-2,2′-diyl)phosphite,5-butyl-5-ethyl-2-(2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenoxy)-1,3,2-dioxaphosphirane.

The following phosphites are especially preferred:

Tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphite (Irgafos® 168, Ciba SpecialtyChemicals Inc.), tris(nonylphenyl)phosphite,

5. Hydroxylamines, for example N,N-dibenzylhydroxylamine,N,N-diethylhydroxylamine, N,N-dioctylhydroxylamine,N,N-dilaurylhydroxylamine, N,N-ditetradecylhydroxylamine,N,N-dihexadecylhydroxylamine, N,N-dioctadecylhydroxylamine,N-hexadecyl-N-octadecylhydroxylamine,N-heptadecyl-N-octadecylhydroxylamine, N,N-dialkylhydroxylamine derivedfrom hydrogenated tallow amine.6. Nitrones, for example, N-benzyl-alpha-phenylnitrone,N-ethyl-alpha-methylnitrone, N-octyl-alpha-heptylnitrone,N-lauryl-alpha-undecylnitrone, N-tetradecyl-alpha-tridecylnnitrone,N-hexadecyl-alpha-pentadecylnitrone,N-octadecyl-alpha-heptadecylnitrone,N-hexadecyl-alpha-heptadecylnitrone,N-ocatadecyl-alpha-pentadecylnitrone,N-heptadecyl-alpha-hepta-decylnitrone,N-octadecyl-alpha-hexadecylnitrone, nitrone derived fromN,N-dialkylhydroxylamine derived from hydrogenated tallow amine.7. Thiosynergists, for example dilauryl thiodipropionate, dimistrylthiodipropionate, distearyl thiodipropionate or distearyl disulfide.8. Peroxide scavengers, for example esters of β-thiodipropionic acid,for example the lauryl, stearyl, myristyl or tridecyl esters,mercaptobenzimidazole or the zinc salt of 2-mercapto-benzimidazole, zincdibutyldithiocarbamate, dioctadecyl disulfide, pentaerythritoltetrakis(β-dodecylmercapto)propionate.9. Polyamide stabilizers, for example copper salts in combination withiodides and/or phosphorus compounds and salts of divalent manganese.10. Basic co-stabilizers, for example melamine, polyvinylpyrrolidone,dicyandiamide, triallyl cyanurate, urea derivatives, hydrazinederivatives, amines, polyamides, polyurethanes, alkali metal salts andalkaline earth metal salts of higher fatty acids, for example calciumstearate, zinc stearate, magnesium behenate, magnesium stearate, sodiumricinoleate and potassium palmitate, antimony pyrocatecholate or zincpyrocatecholate.11. Nucleating agents, for example inorganic substances, such as talcum,metal oxides, such as titanium dioxide or magnesium oxide, iron oxidesin particular nano-sized Fe₃O₄, phosphates, carbonates or sulfates of,preferably, alkaline earth metals; organic compounds, such as mono- orpolycarboxylic acids and the salts thereof, as for example4-tert-butylbenzoic acid, adipic acid, diphenylacetic acid, sodiumsuccinate or sodium benzoate; polymeric compounds, such aspolyvinylcyclohexane or ionic copolymers (ionomers); phthalocyanine orquinacridone pigments; any derivatives of aliphatic or aromaticdicarboxylic acids having nucleating activity, such as derivatives ofhexahydrophthalic acid, bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane dicarboxylic acid,bicyclo[2.2.2]octane dicarboxylic acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid,subaric acid, sebacic acid, phthalic acid, isophthalic acid,terephthalic acid, naphthaline dicarboxylic acid, in particular thesalts of those acids with alkaline or alkaline earth metals, per se orgenerated in situ by combining those acids with alkaline or alkalineearth stearates or the like, as well as the corresponding amides of saidacids, which may be further N-substituted with organic groups,eventually resulting in derivatives with nucleating activity. Especiallypreferred are the bis-acetals of sorbitol or mannitol like for example1,3:2,4-bis(3′,4′-dimethylbenzylidene)sorbitol,1,3:2,4-di(para-methyldibenzylidene)sorbitol,1,3:2,4-di(para-ethyldibenzylidene)sorbitol,1,3:2,4-di(mono-fluoro-dibenzylidene)sorbitol,1,3:2,4-di(mono-chloro-dibenzylidene)sorbitol,1,3:2,4-di(mono-methyl-mono-chloro-dibenzylidene)sorbitol and1,3:2,4-di(benzylidene)sorbitol.12. Fillers and reinforcing agents, for example calcium carbonate,silicates, glass fibres, glass beads, asbestos, talc, kaolin, mica,barium sulfate, metal oxides and hydroxides, car-bon black, graphite,wood flour and flours or fibers of other natural products, syntheticfibers.13. Other additives, for example plasticisers, lubricants, emulsifiers,pigments, rheology additives, catalysts, flow-control agents, opticalbrighteners, flameproofing agents, antistatic agents and blowing agents.14. Benzofuranones and indolinones, for example those disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 4,325,863; U.S. Pat. No. 4,338,244; U.S. Pat. No. 5,175,312;U.S. Pat. No. 5,216,052; U.S. Pat. No. 5,252,643; DE-A-4316611;DE-A-4316622; DE-A-4316876; EP-A-0589839, EP-A-0591102; EP-A-1291384 or3-[4-(2-acetoxyethoxy)phenyl]-5,7-di-tert-butylbenzofuran-2-one,5,7-di-tert-butyl-3-[4-(2-stearoyloxy-ethoxy)phenyl]benzofuran-2-one,3,3′-bis[5,7-di-tert-butyl-3-(4-[2-hydroxyethoxy]phenyl)benzofuran-2-one],5,7-di-tert-butyl-3-(4-ethoxyphenyl)benzofuran-2-one,3-(4-acetoxy-3,5-di-methylphenyl)-5,7-di-tert-butylbenzofuran-2-one,3-(3,5-dimethyl-4-pivaloyloxyphenyl)-5,7-di-tert-butylbenzofuran-2-one,3-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)-5,7-di-tert-butylbenzofuran-2-one,3-(2,3-dimethylphenyl)-5,7-di-tert-butylbenzofuran-2-one,3-(2-acetyl-5-isooctylphenyl)-5-isooctyl-benzofuran-2-one.

The conventional additive is preferably present in the composition usedaccording to the present invention in an amount of 0.001 to 10,preferably 0.01 to 5, parts by weight.

Another embodiment of the present invention is an article comprising amicroporous film made of a composition containing

-   A) 100 to 60 parts by weight of a polypropylene homopolymer,-   B) 0 to 40 parts by weight of a low density polyethylene or a    polyethylene copolymer with butene, hexene or octene, and-   C) 0.005 to 0.5% by weight, relative to the weight of component A),    of at least one beta-nucleating agent selected from the class    consisting of organic compounds containing trisamide moieties;    the film having a water vapor-permeability of    ≧200 g/m² d at 23° C./50% r.h. or    ≧800 g/m² d at 23° C./85% r.h.

The article is preferably a construction material, a functionalmaterial, a packaging material, a moisture-permeable waterproof garmentor a hygienic article.

Examples of construction materials are geotextile films or foils, heatand sound insulation materials, drainage and isolation membranes,separating fleeces and roofing membranes. A roofing membrane ispreferred.

Examples of packaging materials include breathable packaging films orfoils for food, detergents and pharmaceuticals, artificial paper, filmsor foils for printable substrates, shrink-films, in-mold labels and thelike.

Moisture-permeable waterproof garments are for example light rainwearand light work clothes, camping equipment such as tents and sleepingbags, disposable protective garment used in hospitals (e.g. surgicaldressings, bandages, infection barrier clothing), electronic clean roomsand areas where chemical spills may be a problem. Further applicationsin the clothing area include sportswear, linings and decorativecoverings.

Examples of hygienic articles are paper diapers (disposable diapers,pants-shaped diapers, etc.), sanitary napkins and other sanitaryproducts like towels or table linen, incontinence pads and absorbentarticles, bed sheets and other hygienic merchandise such as face oilremovers.

A preferred article of the present invention is a roofing membranewherein the beta-nucleating agent is 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acidtris(tert-octylamide) or 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acidtris(2,3-dimethylcyclohexylamide).

Other preferred embodiments of the present invention relate to:

I) An article as defined above, which is a composite additionallycomprising a nonwoven web laminated on the microporous film.II) An article as defined above, which is a composite wherein themicroporous film is sandwiched between two nonwoven webs.III) An article as defined above, which is a roofing membrane, whereinthe microporous film is sandwiched between two nonwoven webs and thebeta-nucleating agent is 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acidtris(tert-octylamide) or 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acidtris(2,3-dimethylcyclohexylamide).

A further embodiment of the present invention is a process for producinga microporous film, which comprises

-   a) blending and extrusion of a composition containing-   A) 100 to 60 parts by weight of a polypropylene homopolymer,-   B) 0 to 40 parts by weight of a low density polyethylene or a    polyethylene copolymer with butene, hexene or octene, and-   C) 0.005 to 0.5% by weight, relative to the weight of component A),    of at least one beta-nucleating agent selected from the class    consisting of organic compounds containing trisamide moieties;-   at an extrusion temperature of 180° to 280° C., preferably 200° to    250° C., into a mono- or multi-layer film;-   b) controlled crystallization of said film on one or more chill    rolls at a temperature of 80° to 140° C., preferably 100° to 130° C.    or 110° to 125° C.;-   c) stretching the film in at least one direction at a temperature of    25° to 140° C. and at a draw ratio of 1:1.2 to 1:10.

The stretching of the film in at least one direction is preferablycarried out at a temperature of 50° C. to 120° C., in particular 70° C.to 100° C., at a draw ratio of preferably 1:1.5 to 1:8, in particular1:1.5 to 1:5. The preferred stretching direction is the machinedirection, i.e. the direction in which extrusion and feeding of saidfilm is carried-out.

If desired, the microporous film according to the present invention canbe prepared by biaxially stretching, which may be conducted eithersequentially or simultaneously. For such processes the stretchingtemperatures may be the same or different from the ones described above.Any further adjustments required, however, can be easily made duringprocessing and are evident to those skilled in the art. Particularly insequential biaxial stretching usually different stretching temperaturesare applied for the orientation in machine and transverse direction, andmay approach even up to 190° C. Accordingly, necessary adjustments ofthe drawing temperatures for biaxial drawing are incorporated byentirety herewithin.

Before stretching, the films have preferably a beta-polypropylenecontent of 30 to 80% as determined from differential scanningcalorimetry (DSC). The beta-polypropylene content is measured by DSC (at10° C./min heating under nitrogen blanket) from the area ratios of therespective melting peaks as:

% of beta-PP=100%×peak area(beta-PP)/[peak area(alpha-PP)+peakarea(beta-PP)]

The DSC melting peaks of alpha-PP and beta-PP, respectively, can beeasily attributed due to their different melt temperature ranges oftypically T_(m(alpha-PP))=160 to 170° C. and T_(m(beta-PP))=145 to 155°C., respectively. The individual peak areas of those melting peaks aredetermined by common procedures, DSC standard software and operations'manuals or recommendations of DSC equipment manufacturers.

Still another preferred object of the present invention is a microporousfilm having a thickness of 1 to 250 microns and made of a compositioncontaining

-   A) 95 to 65 parts by weight of a polypropylene homopolymer,-   B) 5 to 35 parts by weight of a low density polyethylene or a    polyethylene copolymer with butene, hexene or octene, and-   C) 0.005 to 0.5% by weight, relative to the weight of component A),    of at least one beta-nucleating agent selected from the class    consisting of organic compounds containing trisamide moieties.

The preferred embodiments indicated above also relate to this film.

The following examples describe the present invention in more detail.All parts and percentages are given by weight unless indicatedotherwise.

Beta-Nucleating Agents Used in the Following Examples: Beta-NucleatingAgent (1-1):

Beta-Nucleating Agent (1-2):

EXAMPLE 1

A blend of 85 parts by weight of polypropylene homopolymer (Moplen®HP-522H, MFI=2 dg/min at 230° C./2.16 kg, T_(m)=165° C.) furthercontaining the beta-nucleating agent (1-1) at a concentration of 0.024%by weight, relative to the weight of the polypropylene homopolymer, and15 parts by weight of low density polyethylene (Exxonmobil® LL 4004 EL,an ethylene copolymer with butene-1 having a MFI=3.6 dg/min at 190°C./2.16 kg, a density of 0.924 g/cm³ and a T_(m)=123° C.) is twin-screwcompounded at 220-240° C. Subsequently, film samples are prepared bycompression molding at 250° C. followed by controlled crystallization at120° C. before final cooling down to room temperature. Characterized byDSC, these films show a beta-polypropylene content of 45%. Subsequentstretching of these films at different temperatures and a draw ratio of1:3 yield whitish porous films with soft touch and water vaportransmission rates as listed in Table 1 within the desired range.

TABLE 1 Drawing temperature Final film thickness Water vaportransmission [° C.] [microns] [g/m² d at 23° C./50% r.h.] 70 73 1342 8060 1627 90 72 1682 100 65 697

EXAMPLE 2

Blends of 80-100 parts by weight of polypropylene homopolymer (Moplen®HP-522H, MFI=2 dg/min at 230° C./2.16 kg, T_(m)=165° C.) furthercontaining the beta-nucleating agent (I-1) at a concentration of 0.020%by weight, relative to the weight of the entire formulation, and 20-0parts by weight of low density polyethylene (LLDPE; Exxonmobil® LL 4004EL, an ethylene copolymer with butene-1 having a MFI=3.6 dg/min at 190°C./2.16 kg, a density of 0.924 g/cm³ and a T_(m)=123° C.) is twin-screwcompounded at 220-240° C. Subsequently, 50 micron film samples areprepared by extrusion at 210° C. followed by controlled crystallizationat 120° C. on a heated chill roll. Characterized by DSC, these filmsshow beta-polypropylene contents in the range 20-40%. Subsequentsimultaneous biaxial stretching of these films at 70° C. (KARO IV,laboratory stretching unit) to a draw ratio of 2.5×2.5 yield whitishporous films with soft touch and water vapor transmission rates (LYSSYstandard 23° C./85% r.h.) as listed in Table 2 within the desired range,emphasizing the benefit of LLDPE co-addition.

TABLE 2 LLDPE content Final film thickness Water vapor transmission [%][microns] [g/m² d at 23° C./85% r.h.] 0 30 942 5 35 1102 10 28 1169 1520 1270 20 27 1030

EXAMPLE 3

Still unstretched films prepared in analogy to EXAMPLE 2 are subjectedto a two-step tensile drawing at 70° C. First the films are stretched toa draw ratio of 2 in the machine direction, followed by stretching inthe transverse direction (draw ratio:1.5) in order to compensate for thelateral contraction encountered during the first deformation step. Thisprocedure reproducibly yield samples virtually drawn in only onedirection. Table 3 summarizes the film characteristics, againemphasizing the positive influence of LLDPE co-addition.

TABLE 3 LLDPE content Final film thickness Water vapor transmission [%][microns] [g/m² d at 23° C./85% r.h.] 0 57 863 5 76 1182 10 71 1422 1564 1536 20 60 1320

EXAMPLE 4

Blends of 90 parts by weight of polypropylene (Moplen® HP552R, MFI=25dg/min at 230° C./2.16 kg, T_(m)=165° C.) further containing either thebeta-nucleating agent (1-1) or (1-2) at a concentration of 0.01-0.02% byweight, relative to the weight of the entire formulation, and 10 partsby weight of low density polyethylene (Exxonmobil® LL 4004 EL, anethylene copolymer with butene-1 having a MFI=3.6 dg/min at 190° C./2.16kg, a density of 0.924 g/cm³ and a T_(m)=123° C.) are twin-screwcompounded at 220-240° C. These formulations are then extruded at 230°C. onto a chill roll set at 124° C., yielding 100 micron thick films.These films are subsequently stretched as described in EXAMPLE 3. Theobtained results for the water vapor transmission rates are summarizedin Table 4.

TABLE 4 Beta Beta nucleating Final film Water vapor nucleating agentloading thickness transmission agent [%] [microns] [g/m² d at 23° C./85%r.h.] (I-1) 0.02 69 1835 (I-2) 0.01 62 1814 (I-2) 0.02 78 1547

1. A microporous film made of a composition containing A) 100 to 60parts by weight of a polypropylene homopolymer, B) 0 to 40 parts byweight of a low density polyethylene or a polyethylene copolymer withbutene, hexene or octene, and C) 0.005 to 0.5% by weight, relative tothe weight of component A), of at least one beta-nucleating agentselected from the class consisting of organic compounds containingtrisamide moieties; the film having a water vapor-permeability of ≧200g/m² d at 23° C. 50% r.h. or ≧800 g/m² d at 23° C. 85% r.h.
 2. Amicroporous film according to claim 1, wherein the watervapor-permeability is ≧200 g/m² d at 23° C./50% r.h.
 3. A microporousfilm according to claim 1, wherein component A) is present in an amountof 95 to 65 parts by weight, and component B) is present in an amount of5 to 35 parts by weight.
 4. A microporous film according to claim 1,wherein the beta-nucleating agent enhances the crystallization peaktemperature T_(c) of the polypropylene homopolymer by at least 3° C. 5.A microporous film according to claim 1, wherein the beta-nucleatingagent is a 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid trisamide derivative.
 6. Amicroporous film according to claim 1, wherein the beta-nucleating agentis a compound of the formula (I),

in which R₁, R₂ and R₃, independently of one another, are C₁-C₂₀alkyl,C₂-C₂₀alkyl substituted by C₁-C₁₀alkylamino, di(C₁-C₁₀alkyl)amino,C₁-C₁₀alkyloxy or hydroxy; C₃-C₂₀alkenyl, C₅-C₁₂cycloalkyl,C₅-C₁₂cycloalkyl substituted by 1, 2 or 3 C₁-C₁₀alkyl; cyclohexylmethyl;cyclohexylmethyl substituted by 1, 2 or 3 C₁-C₁₀alkyl;C₅-C₉cycloalkenyl, C₅-C₉cycloalkenyl substituted by 1, 2 or 3C₁-C₁₀alkyl; phenyl substituted by 1, 2 or 3 radicals selected from thegroup consisting of C₁-C₁₀alkyl, C₁-C₁₀alkyloxy, hydroxy, halogen,trihalogenmethyl, trihalogenmethoxy, benzoyl, phenylamino, acylamino andphenylazo; C₇-C₉phenylalkyl, C₇-C₉phenylalkyl which is substituted onthe phenyl by 1, 2 or 3 radicals selected from the group consisting ofC₁-C₁₀alkyl, C₁-C₁₀alkoxy and hydroxy; naphthyl, naphthyl substituted byC₁-C₁₀alkyl, adamantyl, or a 5 to 6 membered heterocyclic group;
 7. Amicroporous film according to claim 6, wherein R₁, R₂ and R₃,independently of one another, are branched C₃-C₂₀alkyl, orC₅-C₈cycloalkyl unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 C₁-C₄alkyl. 8.A microporous film according to claim 6, wherein R₁, R₂ and R₃ areidentical and are tert-octyl, 2,3-dimethylcyclohexyl or cyclooctyl. 9.An article comprising a microporous film made of a compositioncontaining A) 100 to 60 parts by weight of a polypropylene homopolymer,B) 0 to 40 parts by weight of a low density polyethylene or apolyethylene copolymer with butene, hexene or octene, and C) 0.005 to0.5% by weight, relative to the weight of component A), of at least onebeta-nucleating agent selected from the class consisting of organiccompounds containing trisamide moieties; the film having a watervapor-permeability of ≧200 g/m² d at 23° C. 50% r.h. or ≧800 g/m² d at23° C. 85% r.h.
 10. An article according to claim 9, which is aconstruction material, a packaging material, a moisture-permeablewaterproof garment or a hygienic article.
 11. An article according toclaim 9, which is a roofing membrane.
 12. An article according to claim9, which is a roofing membrane wherein the beta-nucleating agent is1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid tris(tert-octylamide) or1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid tris(2,3-dimethylcyclohexylamide). 13.An article according to claim 9, which is a composite additionallycomprising a nonwoven web laminated on the microporous film.
 14. Anarticle according to claim 9, which is a composite wherein themicroporous film is sandwiched between two nonwoven webs.
 15. An articleaccording to claim 9, which is a roofing membrane, wherein themicroporous film is sandwiched between two nonwoven webs and thebeta-nucleating agent is 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acidtris(tert-octylamide) or 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acidtris(2,3-dimethylcyclohexylamide).
 16. A process for producing amicroporous film, which comprises a) blending and extrusion of acomposition containing A) 100 to 60 parts by weight of a polypropylenehomopolymer, B) 0 to 40 parts by weight of a low density polyethylene ora polyethylene copolymer with butene, hexene or octene, and C) 0.005 to0.5% by weight, relative to the weight of component A), of at least onebeta-nucleating agent selected from the class consisting of organiccompounds containing trisamide moieties; at an extrusion temperature of180° to 280° C. into a mono- or multi-layer film; b) controlledcrystallization of said film on one or more chill rolls at a temperatureof 80° to 140° C.; c) stretching the film in at least one direction at atemperature of 25° to 140° C. and at a draw ratio of 1:1.2 to 1:10.